Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location City of Westminster, London (region), SW1A 2HB About the job Job summary The Defence Afghan Relocations and Resettlement directorate was established in 2022 by the UK Ministry of Defence to administer the Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme. ARAP was set up to provide a safe and legal means of relocating to the UK for those Afghans that served for, with or alongside UK Armed Forces in support of the UK mission in Afghanistan. Many thousands of deserving Afghans who kept our troops safe during their deployments in Afghanistan were brought to safety during OP PITTING, the airlift out of Kabul in August 2021 as the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan. However, not all of those Afghans eligible for relocation under ARAP were on those flights, and it is DARRs mission to find those Afghans who satisfy the ARAP criteria and bring them and their familys members to safety in the UK where they will be supported as they begin their new lives. DARR work across Whitehall and have international relationships at the highest strategic level (including regular Ministerial engagement). DARR is a friendly and welcoming Directorate, with individuals bringing a diverse mix of skills and experience. You will be supported to grow in your role, gain new skills, learn from others and do so in a safe environment where you can bring your whole self to work. For OGD candidates only: If you accept a fixed-term appointment with MOD, the preferred option is for you to transfer from your home department on a loan basis to ensure you can return to your home department at the end of the fixed-term appointment. Exceptionally, if a transfer on a loan basis cannot be agreed by your home department, you would transfer and become a permanent employee at MOD but on a fixed-term basis. This will not affect your continuity of employment. If you face a redundancy situation at the end of the fixed-term appointment you will be treated as a permanent civil servant for redundancy and priority mover purposes only. You must have two years service to be eligible for redundancy benefits under the Civil Service Compensation Scheme. Candidates will require LM approval before applying on a loan basis.Candidates who apply on promotion will join in the higher grade, but it is for the home department to agree whether they accept the higher grade on return. This would be included in the loan agreement. Job description This post is advertised as a permanent position as it is expected to be required for at least 2 years and for the life of the DARR Directorate. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week and is based at MOD Main Building, London. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. The Policy and Legal Policy team are separate teams overseen by a shared Deputy Director given the cross over between the policy and litigation. This recruitment campaign seeks to act as a pool to fill roles across both teams, individuals will be matched to the relevant team based on their preference (please state this in your application), experience, and ability to demonstrate across the behaviours. There is 1 role in the Policy Team and 3 in the Legal Policy Team. Policy Roles Based within the Defence Afghanistan Relocation and Resettlement directorate, the team (headed by a Grade 6/B1) is split into Operational Policy and Strategic Policy teams, each headed by a Grade 7/B2. The SEO role is in the Strategic Policy team. The Strategic Policy team are responsible for strategic and cross-cutting Afghanistan Re locations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)issues, providing coherence and advice across the wider policy team. Both teams work extensively with colleagues in FCDO and the Home Office as part of this process ensuring decision making is in line with the UKs Immigration Rules. The SEO/C1 Policy Officer will work with their respective G7/Assistant Head (AHd) on regular submissions to Ministers and liaise across Whitehall on strategic policy issues and provide advice and guidance to teams across DARR and HMG. This is a busy, fast paced role, that requires working on diverse and innovative policy challenges for MOD. There is a requirement to manage multiple work strands simultaneously, offering a variety of opportunities for development. The successful candidates do not need a detailed knowledge of MOD to deliver at pace on issues of significant interest and importance to Ministers, Seniors and Parliament. This role requires an ability to plan ahead, understand wider implications of operational policy, and the confidence to make decisions, sometimes based on limited understanding. Duties and responsibilities To provide the policy input to the development and operation of the Afghan relocation scheme; ensuring that the policy develops to meet MODs needs, is well understood and co-ordinated across Whitehall and is correctly applied by the Defence Afghan Relocation and Resettlement team. To build strong relationships with our key stakeholders within Defence and across Whitehall; understanding the complexity of the policy space and coherence required, and to advise accordingly. To support the Assistant Head/G7 with advice to seniors and Ministers, including drafting of submissions and briefings at pace; (in writing and in person). To provide advice and support to the rest of the DARR team, to ensure that Operations, Casework and Eligibility work is conducted in line with policy direction. Line management of up to two HEO Policy Officers Legal Policy Roles The legal policy team is headed by a Grade 6/B1 and Grade 7/B2 and manages all legal cases against the MOD relating to ARAP. The team work internally within the DARR Directorate and externally with MOD legal advisors, the Government legal Department and with colleagues across government in the FCDO, Home Office and others who are both closely involved in ARAP work and ongoing legal cases. Duties and responsibilities To lead a small team of 2 HEOs providing guidance, direction, and overall workload management with regard to caseloads. You will be responsible for ensuring cases within the team are progressed in a timely and satisfactory manner. To lead on and manage multiple litigation cases at once, identifying the legal issues in the case, linking different areas of DARR to assess and advise the most appropriate and beneficial options for a course of action. To work at pace where required so that court deadlines are met and high-quality material is submitted to provide MOD the best defence from litigation. To Identify pertinent information from case working to clearly articulate how and why decisions were made regarding a claimants case and across wider cohorts. To advise across DARR of legal matters, clarifying our legal position where required to inform policy making and improve processes etc. Engagement with Ministerial offices may also be required. Person specification ESSENTIAL: Good attention to detail and honed communication and engagement skills to explain, clarify and articulate complex policy to a wide audience. The ability to use sound judgement, evidence and knowledge to provide accurate, expert and actionable advice. Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across the Department The ability to work at pace in an uncertain environment, responding and adapting as required to support overall team delivery. Previous legal experience would be an advantage for the Legal Policy Role The proven ability to think strategically and identify upcoming issues and provide mitigation where possible. DESIRABLE: Experience of engagement with Ministers (written or oral). Previous legal or policy experience. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Communicating and Influencing Working Together Leadership Making Effective Decisions Benefits Alongside your salary of £44,590, Ministry of Defence contributes £12,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension The post does not offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility. Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts. Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected. We'll assess you against these Success Profiles Behaviours during the Sift and Interview stage: Communicating and Influencing (Essential) Working Together Leadership Making Effective Decisions Candidates should also provide a name-blind, or anonymous CV, which is to include job history and previous skills/experience. In the event of a high volume of applications we will sift applicants against the Personal Statement and the Essential behaviour. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements Open to UK nationals only. Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Saugat Gurung Email : DARR-Recruitmentmod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. Please refer to the attached Candidate Information guide. Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address:, Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: infocsc.gov.uk. Attachments Candidate Information Opens in new window (docx, 31kB) MOD Candidate Pack 2024 Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail